Dorrington to Lead Panel Discussion

Oscar® nominated writer and Executive Producer of "The Fighter," Keith Dorrington will lead a panel discussion "From Script to Screen" at the 27th Boston Film Festival. The panel discussion affords attendees an opportunity to hear from an Academy Award® nominated writer-producer who has achieved outstanding success. The City of Boston has become a hot bed for filmmakers as well as screenplays and was featured in three movies that received varying Oscar® nominations this year ("The Fighter," "The Social Network," "The Town"). The BFF will run September 16-22, 2011 at the Stuart Street Playhouse in the heart of Boston's theater district. The program will showcase a combination of feature films, documentaries, and shorts.

The Boston Film Festival has a rich history of premiering some of Hollywood's top films as well as honoring renowned filmmakers and actors. Several awards are presented including a new category for Editing. Last year's honorees included Academy Award® winner Melissa Leo as well as Ed Burns, and Sam Rockwell who starred in Fox Searchlight's "Conviction" which was also named the festival's Best Film. Other noteworthy participants were Aaron and Jim Eckhart, Leslie Bibb, Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, Todd Stashwick, Joelle Carter, Kerry Bische and Ryan Merriman.

Recent filmmakers and actors who were lauded by the BFF include; Uma Thurman, Greg Kinnear, Jerry Weintraub, Dane Cook, Val Kilmer, and Sir Ridley Scott. In addition to the film premieres, Boston's top chefs and restaurants host evening receptions where filmmakers and talent have the opportunity to network.

Stuart Street Playhouse

The 27th Boston Film Festival will be located at Boston's new indie cinema, The Stuart Street Playhouse.
Robin Dawson, Executive Director of the festival, said, "The charming Stuart Street Playhouse theatre will
provide film enthusiasts with a modern cinema experience. It is perfectly located in the heart of the
theatre district by the beautiful Boston Public Gardens and across from historic Beacon Hill."

The theatre features a 425 seat stadium design house and boasts a new 30 foot Super Glo
screen with a Dolby Digital sound system. "There is an attached parking garage that includes
a reduced rate for film attendees, and it provides extended time for moviegoers who want to
enjoy dining at one of the many premiere restaurants in the area." continued Dawson. David
Bramante is the owner of the Stuart Street Playhouse and brings more than 25 years of
expertise operating the famed West Newton Cinema. "I'm pleased and proud that the Stuart
Street Playhouse will play host to such an important cultural event for the City of Boston. With
great restaurants & bars at the adjoining Radisson hotel, as well as a parking garage, and
cinema all under one roof, the Playhouse will serve as an ideal home for the Boston Film
Festival," added Bramante.

Volunteers

We are looking for dedicated interns who are interested in gaining exceptional film industry, marketing, media, events and business experience. Contact us at volunteers@bostonfilmfestival.org.

2010 Award Winners

Best Film:Conviction

Best Documentary:10 Mountains 10 Years

Best Director: Ed Burns, Nice Guy Johnny

Best Actor: Sam Rockwell, Conviction

Best Actress: Leslie Bibb, Miss Nobody

Best Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo for her roles in Welcome to the Rileys, Conviction and The Fighter

Best New Actress: Jessica Romero, Down for Life

Best Young Actor: Alexander Newton, Iron Cross

Best Ensemble Cast:Miss Nobody

Best Cinematography: Josh Silfen, To Be Friends

Best Screenplay: Rick Bieber, The 5th Quarter

Mass Impact Award:World Peace and Other 4th Grade Achievements

Eco Film:Lurking in the Trees

Best Short Film:Son of None

Best Soundtrack: Tree Adams, Black, White and Blues

Visionary Filmmaker Award: Joshua Newton, Iron Cross

Career Achievement: Roy Scheider

Patrons of the Arts: Ernie Boch, Jr.

2009 Award Winners

Best Film: "Desdemona," dir. Phillip Guzman

Desdemona: A Love Story: the recipient of 3 awards at the 25th Boston Film Festival in 2009: Best Feature, Best Cinematography & Best Actor for Jorge A. Jimenez: is now available on DVD. The link to order the Special Edition DVD of Desdemona: A Love Story (with the Behind the Scenes featurette & Filmmaker commentary) is on the film's official website: http://www.desdemonamovie.com.

Best Screenplay: "In/Significant Others," writers John Schwert & David Mulholland

Best Documentary: "My Big Break," dir. Tony Zierra

Mass Impact: "Hope Deferred," dir. James Siegel

Best Short: "Marbles With Thoreau," dir. Melody George

Best Actor: Jorge A. Jimenez, "Desdemona"

Best Actress: Uma Thurman, "Motherhood"

Best Ensemble Cast: "Handsome Harry," dir. Bette Gordon

Best Director: Barra Grant, "Love Hurts"

Best Comedy: "Love Hurts," dir. Barra Grant

Best Cinematography: "Desdemona," Philip Roy, Cinematographer

EcoFilm: "Earth Days," dir. Robert Stone

Our History

2008 Boston Film Festival
The 2008 festival took place at the Kendall Square Landmark Theatres in Cambridge. The festival
schedule included a strong program of films and documentaries featuring several world premieres.
There was national press coverage of the movies and celebrities attending such as, Greg Kinnear,
Adam Brody, Tatiana Ali, Steve Tyler, Maria Menounos, and Natalie Dryfus.

The Opening Night film "Appaloosa," starring and directed by Ed Harris, played to a sold out
audience. A question and answer session followed the premiere with producer screenwriter Robert
Knott, actor Adam Nelson, and renowned author Robert Parker who wrote the novel that the film
was based upon. The 2008 BFF Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Robert Parker at the
Landmark Theatre. Best Film honor was given to "Appaloosa" as well.

Universal Studios' "Flash of Genius," starring Greg Kinnear was the Closing night film. Director
Marc Abrahams conducted a lively question and answer session with Greg Kinnear at the Landmark
Theatre. The 2008 Best Actor Award was presented to Greg Kinnear for his portrayl of Robert
Kearns who battled the auto industry. A grand Closing Night party followed at the Cheers
restaurant and pub.

Other notable films honored were: the Iraqi movie "Jani Gal," that details the agony and
suffering of the Iraqi people; the World premiere of "Childless," directed by Charlie Levy and
produced by Graham Leder; the East Coast premiere of the Sundance hit "Death In Love," starring
Adam Brody who was on hand to present the Best Director honor to Boaz Yakin. In Addition, an
extensive schedule of poignant documentaries screened at the festival covering a range of topics
such as "The Soviet Story" which details Stalin's pre-Hitler mass murder of Russian people;
"Under the Skin," about the evolving medical crisis of Lyme disease, and "America's Lost Band,"
that critics believed would be the next international hit band following the Beatles, to name
a few.

2007 Boston Film Festival
George Clooney joined the BFF to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to renowned Producer
Jerry Weintraub, Oceans Thirteen. More than 300 international press articles were generated
from the Tribute dinner alone. Banners placed throughout Boston promoted the festival in
addition to radio and television spots that ran on local stations. Electronic media covered
the festival including Access Hollywood; Extra and Entertainment Tonight. Actor appearances
included: Dane Cook, Emily Mortimer, Michael Madsen, Freddie Prinze Jr., Maria Menounos,
Alison Eastwood, George Clooney and more.